Sitting in Jo MitchellB次元官网网址檚 house in Metchosin, itB次元官网网址檚 not hard to see why sheB次元官网网址檚 decided to call the municipality home for the past two decades.
Despite the dreary clouds threatening rain, the ocean peeks through the trees and squirrels scurry up and down the trees. ItB次元官网网址檚 like her own slice of heaven.
B次元官网网址淭his is the beauty of Metchosin, that it never changes. The rest of the area changes, but Metchosin stays the same, mostly because we have every intention of staying rural,B次元官网网址� she said.
Mitchell had dedicated the last 25 years of her life to making the community a better place and now sheB次元官网网址檚 being honoured for her work. This month, Mitchell will be one of 25 recipients of a B.C. Community Achievement Award that celebrates excellence in community service, enterprise, arts and humanities.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 absolutely amazed,B次元官网网址� said the now 81-year-old, who found out she would be receiving the award last month. Mitchell has had a long love affair with Metchosin. Originally born in Kenya, Mitchell moved to Washington, DC where her husband Frank worked for the World Bank. After they both retired in 1993, the couple decided to settle at the family farm in Metchosin.
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Shortly after, Mitchell was approached by David Wolsk to help form the Metchosin Community Association, which she became the president of and played a pivotal role in working with the District, obtaining grants and transforming the community house into what it is today.
B次元官网网址淲e [my husband Frank] were both 55 and we didnB次元官网网址檛 know anybody here,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲hen you come to a new community, itB次元官网网址檚 a very good way of getting to know people.B次元官网网址�
Over the years, sheB次元官网网址檚 fostered deep connections within the community. Mitchell served as president of the Metchosin Equestrian Society, joint founder of the Neighbourhood Response Program, and served on Metchosin council beginning in 2006 for nine years.
She also served as council liaison to the SeniorsB次元官网网址� Information and Resource Centre and with the healthy community advisory committee, where Mitchell assisted emergency crews in identifying seniors who were living in houses that were difficult to access in the event of an emergency, and organized events for seniors to socialize throughout the year.
As a result of MitchellB次元官网网址檚 vision, Metchosin was one of the first to be recognized as an B次元官网网址渁ge friendly communityB次元官网网址� by the provincial government.
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While sheB次元官网网址檚 served the District in a number of capacities, her biggest accomplishment has been finding a home for the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre Association in the former Metchosin elementary school in 2008.
B次元官网网址淚 had to persuade the Sooke School District to let us lease the old school, which had been vacant for three years and was just falling apart,B次元官网网址� said Mitchell, adding she was able to accomplish this with the help of Colleen Brownlee and Mary Gidney.
B次元官网网址淔or a long time, you could find nobody who was interested in doing anything with it B次元官网网址� It has been a great success. ItB次元官网网址檚 well used.B次元官网网址�
The District of Metchosin has since purchased the property, but many within the arts association continue to occupy the building.
Recipients of the 2018 awards will be recognized in a ceremony at Government House on April 25, where they will receive a certificate, and a medallion designed by B.C. artist Robert Davidson.
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